Prevention

85% of wildfires nationwide are caused by people.

You can lower this statistic. Help prevent wildfires.

Campfire Safety

Campfires that aren’t properly maintained and extinguished can cause wildfires. Be responsible for your campfire.

• Never leave your campfire unattended.

• Always keep a shovel and bucket nearby.

• When extinguishing your campfire, use the drown, stir, feel method: drown the fire with water and stir around the fire area with your shovel to wet any remaining embers and ash. Shovel dirt onto the campfire site and mix and smother thoroughly. Feel the area with the back of your hand to make sure all the heat is out. Repeat this process until you are sure there is no more heat left in your campfire.

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Equipment Safety

Lawn mowers, weed eaters, chain saws, grinders, welders, tractors, and trimmers can all spark a wildland fire. Do your part, the right way, to keep your community fire safe.

• Mow before 10 a.m., but never when it’s windy or excessively dry.

• Keep the exhaust system, spark arresters and mower in proper working order and free of carbon buildup.

• Use the recommended grade of fuel and don’t top it off.

• Don’t drive your vehicle onto dry grass or brush.

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Vehicle and Towing Safety

Motorists are responsible for many of the wildfires sparked along the raodways. Nearly all of these fires could be prevented by following these safety rules. 

• Secure safety chains on all towing equipment.

• Use appropriate safety pins and hitchball to secure chains.

• Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained:

  • Proper tire pressure can prevent a blowout, exposed wheel rims will throw sparks.

  • Properly maintain brakes, brakes worn too thin can cause metal to metal contact which can cause sparks.

  • Get regular tune ups to prevent a clogged exhaust system which can launch hot particles into vegetation.

• Avoid parking or driving in dry grass and brush. Hot exhaust pipes and mufflers can start a fire.

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Target Shooting Safety

Careless shooting can cause fires. If it's dry, hot and windy; save your ammo.

• Avoid shooting into rocks or metal objects and place targets in areas that are free of vegetation.

• Always have water, a shovel and a fire extinguisher ready in case a fire starts.

• Clean up all your targets and shells when you're finished shooting and pack them out.

• Exploding targets, incendiary rounds and tracer ammunition are illegal on all public lands

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES